The 4 Tiers Of Office Chairs [Office Chair Types Ranked]

There are over 300 office chair makes and models on the Australian market. You can save yourself a lot of time (and choose the right chair for you), by understanding which tier each chair belongs to. Here are the quick takeaways:

Tiers Of Office Chairs: At A Glance.

The best office chairs rank highly across key criteria.

These are ergonomics, aesthetics, build quality, the sophistication of recline mechanisms and warranty length.

Tier 1: Top-Tier Office Chairs.

These are chairs that you “buy for life”. Rugged construction, easily replaceable individual parts, and generous (5 years / 10 years / lifetime) warranties translate to long lifespans.

You can find examples of top-tier office chairs serving for 15+ years.

High emphasis on both aesthetics and ergonomics (what makes an office chair ergonomic?) tends to drive up the prices, as it’s surprisingly difficult to build an office chair that’s both good-looking and highly adjustable.

People who buy these chairs aren’t shopping around on price. On the contrary, the high price is part of the value proposition, imparting exclusivity (what are the most expensive office chairs in the world?)

Examples of Tier 1 office chairs:

(Related: Best Standing Chairs And Stools You Can Buy).

Tier 2: Mid-Range Office Chairs.

Offering outstanding value for money, Tier 2 office chairs are typically priced between $600 and $1300.

They are almost as smooth and comfortable as the ones you’ll find in top-tier office chairs.

Expect excellent ergonomic features (ergonomic chairs tested and ranked), which should include, at a minimum:

An office chair in this tier should not feel cheap, but won’t have the same premium, bulletproof feel you can expect from a Tier 1 chair. Warranties are impressive, with most falling in the 5-10 year range.

Examples of Tier 2 office chairs:

(Related: The Correct Way To Recycle Your Old Office Chair).

Tier 3: Budget Office Chairs.

Your first office chair was probably from Tier 3. It’s a budget option that, more often than not, has an unmistakable cubicle aesthetic.

Expect adjustments to be decent, but limited. Lumbar support, for example, will be either fixed, nonexistent or have a crude tension adjustment.

Manufacturers must use inexpensive mesh, fabric, leather and plastics to make this low price point workable, so don’t expect a chair that feels like a premium product.

Mesh on budget chairs is often too hard or too soft. Fabrics, meanwhile, are either too spongy or too hard.

Expect yours to last for 3 years, and if something breaks during this period, you may find it easier to replace the whole chair than go through the hassle of repairing it.

(Related: The Right Way To Clean Your Office Chair).

While we’re on the subject of longevity, warranties on budget office chairs typically range between 1 and 3 years.

Price range is $300-$600.

Examples of Tier 3 office chairs:

Tier 4: Cheap Office Chairs.

The tier you should avoid. Usually comprised of mass-produced office chairs that cost less than $300, cheap office chairs are not designed with ergonomics, comfort or looks in mind.

They’re not a bad option if you’re low on cash and simply need something to sit on for a couple of hours daily.

However, you’ll probably find that investing in one of these is an exercise in false economy.

A lack of ergonomic features can aggravate your underlying back issues (best office chairs for people with lower back issues), while cheap materials will lead to its early demise.

(Related: 7 Benefits Of Ergonomic Chairs).

Final Thoughts About Office Chair Tiers.

Sitting experience is very subjective, which is why I recommend testing a chair before you buy it. Or, at least, buy from a brand that offers risk-free returns. Even Tier 1 chairs are not universally loved.

Steven